Protecting Against Burst Pipes 2024

As winter approaches, the freezing temperatures are sure to follow and subsequently the risk of frozen and burst pipes. Approximately 2,650 properties experience burst pipes each year, with the majority coming in the months of January and February. As the water inside of you plumbing freezes it expands in size. The pressure from the expanding ice is what causes your pipes to burst.

The aim of this blog is to provide you with the information and insight you need to prevent that happening and to stop your house from becoming a flood statistic. By protecting your pipes from the freezing winter temperatures, you will be saving yourself the time, money and stress it would take to get the damage repaired.

What are the dangers of a burst pipe?

Once the pipe has burst the danger then comes when the frozen water melts, again the extent to which the pipe is damaged will directly affect the amount of water that is able to escape. However, any escape of water can have potentially catastrophic repercussions for your home and family. A burst pipe can lead to severe water damage to your property, which could also lead to structural issues if the situation worsens. In the event this occurs it is vital that you quickly look to hire a flood damage cleanup service provider like Ideal Response.

The extent to the damage can vary depending on a few factors:

• How long the water/ escape of water damage goes undiscovered
• The area in which the burst occurs
• How long you wait to treat the water damage

Am I at risk of mould?

In short, yes. The burst pipe and escape of water will lead to damp patches in your property. These damp patches provide the perfect environment for fungal growth. Surface mould can begin to grow in less than 24-48 hours. But the mould spores and fungal hyphae are not visible and can cause significant health complications. We strongly recommend you seek the help of a professional mould removal service provider like Ideal Response as soon as you notice signs of mould growth.

Not all signs of mould growth are visible, you may still be experiencing the health effects even if it isn’t visible. If this is the case, a professional survey would provide you with accurate information on mould counts. The invisible signs of mould are:

• Headaches
• Skin irritation or rashes
• Respiratory Issues
• Asthma attacks

How to Prevent Your Water Pipes Bursting This Winter in the UK

There are a few steps that you can take to help prevent your water pipes and water tank from bursting this winter:

• Insulate – Insulating your home and pipes will help to protect them from freezing temperatures. It will also help you keep your home warmer withy less need to spend money on heating.
• Keep your home as warm as possible – Maintaining warm conditions inside of your property will do a great deal to prevent you r pipes from bursting due to freezing temperatures.
• Locate the Stopcock – In the event that your pipes do burst it is vital that you know where your stopcock is. The stopcock will enable you to completely turn of the water at the source and prevent a constant escape of water from the burst pipes.
• Fix any leaking taps – Leaking taps allow a constant (very slow) flow of water. If this freezes it can not only lead to your pipes bursting but also to them backing up.
• Hire a plumber before winter to check your plumbing and identify any signs of damage or weakness. It will cost significant less to pay for new pipes than it will be to deal with the effects of them bursting.

What To Do If Your Water Pipes Burst This Winter

In the unfortunate event that your pipes do burst this winter, due to freezing temperatures or sheer bad luck, it is important that you know the best steps to take. If your pipes have burst, it is safe to assume that you are experiencing flood or water damage. The most important thing now is to mitigate further damage and prevent secondary damage from occurring. Focusing on this will help you save money on costly repairs and will reduce the amount of time it takes to get your property back to its pre water damage condition.

1. The first step you should take is to shut off water into the property to prevent more water from escaping the damaged pipes.
2. Shut off electricity to mitigate the risk of an electrical hazard occurring.
3. Document the damage for insurance and damage restoration purposes.
4. Contact Ideal Response and schedule a flood damage cleanup service to prevent secondary damage occurring.

Are you at risk of your pipes bursting?

For all properties, there is the risk of the freezing winter temperatures causing damage to your water pipes. However, the homes most likely to be affected by freezing conditions are older properties. Older properties are more likely to have older pipes and outdated insulation. Insulation will help your property retain heat and for many older properties the insulation used is not as effective as it could potentially be.

Take the necessary precautions and recommendations that will help protect your home and family this winter.